However, it remains unknown how their combination affects mineralization and stabilization of soil organic carbon (SOC).

The gap

Consensus across the literature

Supporting evidence — 6 representative gaps

• Soil salinization in agriculture: Mitigation and adaptation strategies combining nature-based solutions and bioengineering (2024) · doi

  Organic fertilizers ll OPEN ACCESS Using organic fertilizers offers an effective strategy for preserving soil organic carbon (SOC) levels and preventing soil salinization. Derived from natural sources like animal manure, compost, or cover crops, organic fertilizers deliver numerous benefits to soil health and fertility.65 By introducing organic matter into the soil, these fertilizers contribute to SOC enrichment. This organic matter serves as a carbon source that stimulates the activity of soil microorganisms, leading to the decomposition of organic materials. Consequently, this process releases essential nutrients into the soil, supporting plant growth while increasing SOC levels. By maintaining or augmenting SOC, organic fertilizers enhance soil structure and bolster water-holding capacity,66 effectively reducing the risk of soil salinization. Furthermore, organic fertilizers are vital in enhancing nutrient cycling and availability in the soil. The organic matter in these fertilizers acts as a reservoir of nutrients, slowly releasing them over time, thus reducing the likelihood of nutrient leaching and runoff.67 This efficient nutrient management helps maintain a balanced soil ecosystem and prevent the accumulation of salts, a major cause of soil salinization. Having said that ensuring a consistent and reliable supply of organic materials can be difficult due to factors such as availability, transportation, and cost. Second, determining the optimal application rates and timing of organic fertilizers demands a thorough understanding of soil characteristics and crop requirements. Third, organic fertilizers’ nutrient content and decomposition rates can vary significantly, affecting their effectiveness in addressing salinity.68 Moreover, the impact of organic fertilizers on soil structure, nutrient retention, and microbial activity can differ based on soil types and envi- ronmental conditions.65

  Keywords: organic soil fertilizers nutrient salinization matter carbon levels activity decomposition materials nutrients structure reducing availability
• Long-term application of different organic materials enhance soil organic carbon stability and sequestration in saline-alkali paddy soils (2026) · doi

  Organic materials are widely used to enhance soil organic carbon (SOC) storage, but their comparative effects and underlying mechanisms in saline-alkali soils remain unclear.

  Keywords: organic materials widely used enhance soil carbon storage comparative effects underlying mechanisms saline alkali soils
• Organic fertilizer substitution alleviates microbial resource limitations to enhance soil function and crop yields (2026) · doi

  Organic-mineral fertilizer combination is a core sustainable agricultural strategy, but its regulatory mechanisms on soil quality and ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF) remain unclear.

  Keywords: organic mineral fertilizer combination core sustainable agricultural strategy regulatory mechanisms soil quality ecosystem multifunctionality remain
• Integrated Application of Biochar and Polyacrylamide with Conservation Tillage Promotes Fertilizer-N Recovery in the Short Term (2026) · doi

  Although conservation tillage (CT), polyacrylamide (PAM), and biochar (BC) are each known to enhance soil organic carbon (SOC), their combined short-term effects on SOC sequestration and fertilizer-nitrogen (N) recovery remain unclear.

  Keywords: conservation tillage polyacrylamide biochar known enhance soil organic carbon combined short term effects sequestration fertilizer
• Rock-enhanced biochar exhibits similar priming effect as pure biochar application while improving short-term carbon stabilization in agricultural soils (2026) · doi

  However, it remains unknown how their combination affects mineralization and stabilization of soil organic carbon (SOC).

  Keywords: remains unknown combination affects mineralization stabilization soil organic carbon
• Precipitation and plant cover promote soil organic carbon accumulation in the northeastern Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (2026) · doi

  However, the mechanisms controlling the accumulation of soil organic carbon (SOC) in this fragile ecosystem remain unclear.

  Keywords: mechanisms controlling accumulation soil organic carbon fragile ecosystem remain unclear